OpenAI launches new Mac app for powerful AI agent

Developer prioritises safety by implementing sandbox mode restricting access and permissions

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OpenAI has unveiled a new Mac app designed specifically for its Codex AI coding agent. This is not just another version of their ChatGPT app; it acts as a command centre for managing multiple coding agents across different projects and tasks. The idea arose from the realisation that current interfaces limited Codex’s potential. According to CEO Sam Altman, GPT-5.2-Codex in particular is capable of “extremely complex things”. The company announced the news in a blog post.

The new Mac app addresses this limitation by allowing users to run multiple tasks in parallel, supervise agents over longer periods of time, and make use of ‘skills’. These are repeatable workflows, such as fetching log files or fixing tests. Although the app is currently only available for Mac, a Windows version is expected based on OpenAI’s previous release patterns for ChatGPT.

In addition to the app, OpenAI introduced a new planning mode for Codex. It enables read‑only reviews and selectable personalities. Some developers may prefer a neutral option. An extension for JetBrains development environments is also on the way. Altman himself was surprised that he was able to complete a “fairly large project” using only the new Mac app, without ever opening his IDE.

Security is crucial when running AI locally with write access. The Mac app tackles this with a sandbox mode and configurable approval levels. Access is restricted to approved folders and specific network access.

OpenAI envisages users running their entire workflow inside the app, reflecting growing trust in their coding agents. While Codex is currently available with limited usage under the ChatGPT Plus subscription (€23 per month) and with broader resources under the Pro subscription (€229 per month), OpenAI plans to introduce compute‑optimised tiers for companies that prioritise speed over token allocation.

To encourage adoption, OpenAI is temporarily including Codex in the ChatGPT Free and Go plans and doubling the speed limits for other paid plans. This allows developers to experience Codex’s power for themselves.

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